Santander - formerly Abbey (post from the claiming bank charges thread)

gazman71

On the bank charges reclaiming thread i wrote the following, but was advised to come to this thread, so here goes:o

Hello all

My story is quite complicated and long winded so i will try to keep it as brief as possible. I recently put a claim in with Santander for an account i use just occasionally. The claim was for about 253 pound iwth interest, from charges a while back whick were put on hold just so the fat judge could throw my claim out of court along with others. I am currently in an IVA and told them this, it was rejected so i went to the FOS. They have rejected my claim, saying that the account is kept in credit and shows no sign of me defaulting on it, I am livid about this.

Also, another with Santander. I was charged £5 for an unpaid DD, AND £35 on top of that. I told them that i wasnt gonna pay it and withdraw all funds and bank elsewhere. they wouldnt let me close my account, so i went online and cleaned my account out and transferred all funds to my new bank. Now, I have since sent 2 emails to them requesting to close my account, had word that they are looking into my problem ,but not heard anything back. And, because the account is overdrawn by £40 they are charging another £25. How can i get them to see that I am in an IVA anf make them sympathise.The heartless people they are. Aso, i was so annoyed on my second email, I told them that if i had to write to them it would cost them £50 to cover the 'costs' incurred, and an extra £100 if I had to take the case further.
Can anyone, please help.:(

Kind Regards and thanks for the support

DarkConvict

A £35 fee is not unusual for a failed DD. They provide a service of the bank account, they are not accountants so you are charged for your own mistakes of insufficent funds, the bank is not to blame for this.
If you knew you didnt have the funds you should have requested the other company not to take the DD, or put in funds into the account. This is completly standard practice, it is also why basic accounts (no overdraft/no charge for failed DD) will close your account if you bounce more than 3 in the lifetime of the account.

If the bank account is in the overdraft after withdrawing funds, it cannot be closed. Bank accounts can only be closing if no money is owing. If the bank account is at £0 or in credit i know it can take time to close especially if the account is linked with other saving/current accounts or there are payments pending to go in or out of the account.

As to the bank charges, the OFT lost the case in Oct 2009. No one is able to reclaim charges anymore unless in financial hardship. But even then its a up hill struggle. - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges